\ WE ARE NORTHWESTERN ENERGY
THE RAPTOR GUY By Alissa Byrd
Dr. Marco Restani began his career as a professor in Montana but soon relocated to Minnesota for a job opportunity. “When I moved to Minnesota, I wanted to maintain a connection to
herself. Eager to do anything outside, Marco frequently shoveled his neighbor’s sidewalk and driveway in the winter. While helping her, he noticed she had birdfeeders all over her backyard. Eventually,
Montana, so I bought a home in Red Lodge,” Marco said. “I always had
she began introducing Marco to different types of birds while
university vacations and summers to come back to visit.”
teaching him the basic principles of birdwatching. Shortly
Although he lived in Minnesota for nearly 14 years, Marco always wanted to get back to the place he loved. Throughout his career, he
after, he discovered the Seacoast Chapter of New Hampshire Audubon.
developed several connec-
“I remember being
tions, including with Sam
in high school before I
Milodragovich, NorthWest-
had a driver’s license
ern Energy’s now-retired
and having my par-
wildlife biologist.
ents drop me off
Sam and Marco met
at Burger King at
25 years ago while Marco
4:30 a.m. to go bird
conducted
eagle
watching with the
research. At the time, Sam
Seacoast Chapter,”
was working for the Mon-
Marco said. “The
tana
members
bald
Power
Company,
were
which funded a portion of
mostly
Marco’s
and then there was
Ph.D.
research.
retirees,
Sam and Marco stayed
me, this young
in touch throughout the
high school kid.
years. Marco would jok-
But I loved every
ingly ask Sam when he was
bit of it.”
planning to retire because
In 2012,
Sam had his dream job.
the
Once Sam announced his
retirement,
Yel-
lowstone
Marco
Valley
Audu-
applied and interviewed to
bon
Chapter
be NorthWestern Energy’s
in Billings asked
wildlife biologist. In August
Marco to collaborate
2019, Marco accepted the
on their Osprey Project as
position. “So, in a way, I have
Marco works with NorthWestern Energy Lineman Shane Dunn to untangle an osprey from baling twine.
the volunteer research director. The Yellowstone Chapter eagerly
come full circle,” Marco said. “Montana Power Company paid for a por-
wanted to work with energy companies because ospreys were increas-
tion of my Ph.D., and now, here I am working for NorthWestern Energy.”
ingly building nests on power poles. This behavior posed electrocution
Marco’s passion for wildlife, specifically his niche for birds, began years ago while growing up in New Hampshire.
hazards to the birds and outage possibilities for the companies. Ospreys are also notoriously known for using baling twine in their nests, resulting
As a child, Marco always found himself spending time outdoors. In
in entanglement and leading to serious injury and death. By working with
junior high, his next-door neighbor was an older woman who lived by
energy companies, the chapter also wanted to reduce the dangers of
10 | BRIGHT MAGAZINE Vol. 1